Smelt dipping may reopen Saturday in Cowlitz River

Oregon and Washington will meet by telephone Wednesday to consider reopening limited smelt dipping on the Cowlitz and Sandy rivers.

Smelt are a listed threatened species and dipping has been closed, but a strong run in 2013 appears due to repeat this year, so biologists believe they can authorize some limited recreational and commercial dipping.

John North of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the proposal is for just five hours a day, Saturdays only on the Cowlitz in February with a similar restriction for the Sandy River in March. Cowlitz dipping could begin Saturday.

The Cowlitz smelt run is far more dependable than the Sandy's, he said.